Chapter 371: Taking Sides

About half an hour later, Frieda arrived and strode cockily into the house. Her arrogance vanished, however, upon seeing Alfred seated on the couch.

"Grandpa, you're here," Frieda greeted him, a pang of guilt evident in her tone.

Alfred gave her a displeased look and scoffed.

Frieda idly rubbed her nose and started toward the couch.

"Stop!" Jonathan snapped.

Frieda reluctantly halted. With Alfred present, she returned to her original position and stood silently.

"Do you know why I called you home?" Jonathan demanded.

Frieda pursed her lips, feigning ignorance. "No. I was shopping when you summoned me. Why are you upset?"

Jonathan's expression turned cold. "Did you order Rex to stop supplying medicinal herbs to Dr. Jarvis's research institute?"

Frieda nodded indifferently.

Her response elicited confused looks from both Alfred and Jonathan.

Ever since meeting Roxanne, Frieda had been at odds with her. This feud had nearly damaged Queen Group's reputation, but Frieda remained unconvinced she was wrong.

"Why did you do that?" Jonathan asked, his brow furrowed.

Frieda feigned surprise. "Jonathan, don't you know all medicinal herb suppliers have been warned by Farwell Group not to supply Roxanne? Continuing to supply her would be a direct challenge to Farwell Group!"

Surprise flashed in Jonathan's eyes.

This explained Roxanne's morning report that all other suppliers had stopped providing herbs. She hadn't explained the reason; it turned out Farwell Group was behind it.

Jonathan recalled Lucian and Roxanne's previously amicable relationship; Lucian had even defended Roxanne on more than one occasion. He couldn't understand why she was being targeted.

As he frowned in confusion, Frieda added, "Mrs. Farwell didn't directly contact us, given our close relationship. But, since we work closely with Farwell Group, shouldn't we side with them? Supplying Roxanne's institute as promised would be opposing Mrs. Farwell, and she might retaliate!"

Jonathan's frown deepened. "Are you saying Mrs. Farwell ordered this? Why?"

Frieda offered a smug grin. "You don't know? Roxanne is Lucian's ex-wife, and Mrs. Farwell dislikes her intensely. It just so happened…"

(It just so happened that I hated her too, so I seized the opportunity to teach her a lesson.)

Before Frieda could finish, Jonathan understood her motive. He leaped abruptly from the couch.

Frieda's voice trailed off in shock.

"Be quiet! You're part of the Queen family! How could you say that? This will be a public scandal! Queen Group's reputation has been painstakingly built over the years; we don't need to take sides to prove our loyalty!" Jonathan stormed toward her, his glare intense.

(The final promotional sentence has been removed as it is not part of the narrative.)